SEATTLE — Washington state may receive more than $16 million as part of $720 million in nationwide settlements announced Tuesday with eight pharmaceutical companies accused of contributing to the opioid crisis.
According to the Washington Attorney General’s Office, the settlements come as a result of agreements reached with drug manufacturers that produced opioid medications. The total amount Washington will receive depends on how many eligible cities and counties choose to join the agreements and other settlement terms.
If finalized, half of the money would go to the state, and the other half would be distributed among local governments to support opioid response efforts, including prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
The companies and the amounts they’ve agreed to pay are:
Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284.4 million over nine yearsHikma: $95.8 million over one to four yearsAmneal: $71.7 million over 10 yearsApotex: $63.7 million in a single yearIndivior: $38 million over four yearsSun: $31 million over one to four yearsAlvogen: $18.7 million in a single yearZydus: $14.9 million in a single year
In addition to financial payments, several of the companies will provide free pharmaceutical products or the cash equivalent to states.
Seven of the companies, all except Indivior, have agreed to additional restrictions, including a ban on marketing opioids, limits on the strength of opioid pills, and the implementation of systems to monitor and report suspicious orders.
Indivior, which produces medications used to treat opioid addiction, has agreed to stop manufacturing and selling opioid products for at least 10 years but may continue selling treatment medications for opioid use disorder.
Since 2022, Washington has secured approximately $1.3 billion in total opioid-related settlements.
